Don't Be Late, Integrate!Don't Be Late, Integrate!

So much data, so little time. And the vast majority of that data isn't sitting in a convenient relational database. That's the reality behind the raft of IT projects focused on getting disparate enterprise data into one manageable place. And that's the impetus behind recent moves by IBM, EMC, Hummingbird, and others to beef up data- and content-integration software and partnerships. A recent Forrester study showed that European shops were focused on ERP and CRM purchases, while U.S. IT spending would put more money in software development and integration in the second half of 2004.

So herewith is a rundown of five developments in data integration that show just how hot this sector has become—and which vendors will be competing for your data-management dollars: